The Government of India has declared 23rd March as Shaheed Diwas in respect of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivarama Rajyagur. They had sacrificed their life for freedom of India and hanged by British ruler on 23rd March.
Decision to take revenge on death of Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala Lajpat Rai was leading Indian freedom fighter also known as Punjab Kesari. He and his followers were protesting against the Simon Commission as not a single Indian political leader was included as member of that commission. On 30th October 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai led non violent march in protest against it with chanting Simon Go Back and raising black flag. Without any reason, James Scott had ordered police to Lathi Charge on protestor and personally beaten Lala Lajpat Rai. Due to heavy Lathi Charge he did not recovered and died on 17th Nov1928.
Bhagat Singh had decided to take revenge with help of Shivram Rajyaguru, Sukhdev Thapar and Chandra Shekhar Azad. They had planned to kill Superintendent of Police James A. Scott, who had ordered Lathi Charge on Rai. On the 17th December 1928, they killed Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of Police due to mistaken identity. Then Bhagat Singh and associates were ran away for few months.
Bomb blast inside the central legislative assembly in Delhi
On 8th April 1929, to protest against the Trade Dispute Act and Public Safety Bill, Bhagat Singh and his associate threw two bomb in assembly of Delhi. They did not want to kill anyone but wanted to send message to British Rule. He could run away from assembly as there was smoke from bomb but did not and stay there with shouting Inquilab Zindabad and threw leaflets. Bhagat Singh had decided to do this for massive exposure and awareness in general Indians about freedom fight. Then Bhagat Sing and his associate Batukeshwar Dutt were arrested and moved to the jail in Delhi. After this police had discovered the bomb factory and arrested Sukhdev, Rajyagur and other freedom fighters and charged for sunders murder, bomb manufacturing and assembly bombing.
Continue Freedom fight from Jail and during Trail
During the trail of cases and in jail, Bhagat singh’s fight for freedom was not over. He noticed the discrimination between Indian and European prisoner by British ruler in central jail. He declared himself and other associate as political prisoner and must be given the enhance diet, cloth, proper necessary items, books, daily news paper etc. For this they had started hunger strike in jail only, British ruler tried hard to stop the hunger strike by various methods including forcefully act as well, but Bhagat Singh and his associates resist them and continue strike. Going forward they became very famous across the nation, gain the popularity in people and created awareness in general public. Jitendra Nath Das associate of Bhagat Singh in hunger strike was died after continuous 63 days of strike. Almost all national leaders of freedom fight, paid tribute to Das death. After many efforts from various body, Bhagat Singh finally broke the hunger strike after 116 days. What a great sacrifice and high morale for our country!
on 7th October 1930, the tribunal delivered 300 pages of judgment and murder of Saunder was proven and sentence to death by hanging for Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajyaguru. Defense committee drew up plan of appeal against the judgment but rejected by judge. There after Congress Party President Madan Mohal Malaviya had filled a mercy appeal on 14th Feb 1931. All the efforts were not sufficient and finally 24th March 1931 had been decided to execution of hang till death.
The day arrived but no fear on face of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajyaguru.
Initial date was 24th March 1931 but British rule had executed on 23rd March 1931, 11 hrs at 7.30 PM. The actual time, Jail Diary and other details were not disclosed or destroyed by British Ruler. They knew it very well that, after the death of, only 23rd year old Indian lion, brave heart Bhagat Singh, people across India went out of control. They feared a lot so neither magistrate nor priest was allowed in Jail. The last letter to his youngest brother Kultar, Bhagat Singh quoted “Khush raho ahle watan hum to safar karte hain”. The last wish of Bhagat Singh was to hug Sukhdev and Rajyaguru and after that they all accepted execution with smiling and fearless face.
Once again salute to the great freedom fighter of India!!!
